Calibrachoa plant named ‘Colorburst Cherry’

ABSTRACT

A new Calibrachoa plant which combines a unique flower color, and a slightly mounding, vigorous growth habit with moderate branching. The plant grows vigorously, branches only moderately, and is appropriate as a hanging basket. Its flowers are funnel-shaped. The petals are united and each has a fissure and a slight indent. The flowers are axillary and solitary. Fully-opened flowers have a diameter between 2.6-3.2 cm. The throat and limbs of the petals are burgundy red (R.H.S. 64A red-purple group). The tube is light yellow (R.H.S. 9A). The plant is very resistant to rain, heat and drought. The plant grows and flowers best under low soil pH conditions (pH 5-6). Typically, flowers will stay open all day and night.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Calibrachoaplant, hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Colorburst Cherry’.‘Colorburst Cherry’ is a hybrid. In 1995, the inventors Masao Bessho,Seiji Nakamura, and Hitoshi Kojima crossed a variety obtained from acommercial market in South America with a patented hybrid at acommercial nursery in Kakegawa, Japan. The second generation progeny ofthis cross were found to have desirable characteristics, and the presentinvention was selected from this generation. The plant has beenasexually reproduced through a number of generations since that time andits distinguishing characteristics have remain firmly fixed.

The Calibrachoa genus is a relatively new designation for a number ofspecies that were formerly considered part of the Petunia genus.

The Petunia genus was originally established in 1803 by A. L. Jussieu,who described both P. parviflora Juss. and P. nyctaginiflora Juss. astype species. Using a non-horticultural system that selected the firstmentioned species as the type species (lectotype), N. L. Britton and H.A. Brown declared P. parviflora Juss. as the type species for Petunia in1913.

During the 1980's and 1990, H. J. Wijsman published a series of articlesregarding the ancestry of P. hybrida (Hook.) Vilm., the Garden Petunia,and the inter-relationship of several species classified as Petunia.These studies discovered that P. hybrida (Hook.) Vilm. and its ancestralspecies, P. nyctaginiflora Juss. (=P. axillaris (Lam.) B.S.P.) and P.violacea Lindley (=P. integrifolia (Hook.) Schinz & Thellung.),possessed 14 pairs of chromosomes while several other species, includingP. parviflora Juss., possessed 18 pairs of chromosomes. Since P.parviflora Juss. was the lectotype species for the Petunia genus,Wijsman and J. H. de Jong proposed transferring the 14 chromosomespecies to the genus Stimoryne. Horticulturists opposed reclassifyingthe Garden Petunia and in 1986, Wijsman proposed the alternative ofmaking P. nyctaginiflora Juss. the lectotype species for Petunia andtransferring the 18 chromosome species to another genus. The I. N. G.Committee adopted this proposal. By 1990 Wijsman had transferred severalspecies, including P. parviflora Juss. (=C. parviflora) to Calibrachoa,originally established by Llave and Lexarza in 1825. Calibrachoaparviflora (=C. mexicana la Llave & Lexarza) is now the type species forthe genus Calibrachoa.

Classification of the current Petunia and Calibrachoa species is stillin progress. New species are also being identified. At present,Calibrachoa can be distinguished from Petunia based on the higherchromosome number, chromosome morphology, plant branching habit and typeof flower bud aestivation.

To summarize a few of the more easily identified distinguishingcharacteristics: whereas Petunia species have 2n=14 chromosomes,Calibrachoa species have 2n=18 chromosomes. Whereas Petunia species beara flower peduncle and one new stem from a node, Calibrachoa bear aflower peduncle and up to three stems. Finally, Petunia species have acochlear corolla bud. A single outermost petal covers the other fourpetals which are radially folded and terminally contorted. Calibrachoaflower buds are flat with all five petals linearly folded. The two lowerpetals are fused together and form a cover around the three otherpetals.

Further information on the transfer of certain species of Petunia toCalibrachoa can found in the following articles which are incorporatedby reference herein. H. J. Wijsman, On the Interrelationships of CertainSpecies of Petunia VI New names for the species of Calibrachoa formerlyincluded into Petunia (Solanaceae), Acta. Bot. Neerl. 39(1), 101-102(March, 1990). H. J. Wijsman and J. H. de Jong, On theInterrelationships of Certain Species of Petunia IV Hybridizationbetween P. Linearis and P. Calycina and Nomenclatorial Consequences inthe Petunia Group, Acta. Bot. Neerl. 34, 337-349 (August, 1985). H. J.Wijsman, J. H. de Jong and T. M. Pedersen, On the Interrelationships ofCertain Species of Petunia III The Position of P. Linearis and P.Calycina, Acta. Bot. Neerl. 32(4), 323-332, (August, 1983). Toshio ANDO,Yoshiro UEDA, and Goro HASHIMOTO, Historical Survey and Present Statusof Systematics in the Genus Petunia Jussieu (Solanaceae), TechnicalBulletin of Faculty of Horticulture, Chiba University, No. 45 (1992).

The new variety's female parent is a member of the Calibrachoa genus. Nospecies determination of the female parent has been made. The female orseed parent is known to the inventors by its breeder code—C-13D. ParentC-13D was found in a commercial market in South America. It ischaracterized by reddish orange funnel-shaped flowers and an slightlymounding, erect growth habit.

The male plant crossed with C-13D was patented in the United States onMay 6, 1997, by the same inventors. Its U.S. patent number is U.S. PlantPat. No. 9,884. The inventors have named it ‘Liricashower Rose’. Likethe seed starter, its botanical classification has not been carried tothe species level. In U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,884, the genus for‘Liricashower Rose’ was identified as Petunia. Since that time, asdiscussed above, the inventors have learned that the genus Petunia hasbeen split by the I.N.G., and this particular variety, because of itschromosome number and bud aestivation is more accurately characterizedas a member of the Calibrachoa genus. ‘Liricashower Rose’ is itself ahybrid plant, the result of a cross between plants obtained fromcommercial markets in South America.

The distinguishing characteristics of the ‘Liricashower Rose’ includebright funnel-shaped flowers, a decumbent growth habit and a largeprofusion of blooms. With regard to the color of the flowers,specifically, the throat and limbs of the petals are purple-rose (R.H.S.74A at maturity) and the tube is white on its lower portion changing tolight green-yellow tones on its upper portion.

The initial cross-pollination of the C-13D and ‘Liricashower Rose’,resulting in first generation seed, was made in June of 1995. This firstgeneration seed was sown and yielded 20 plants. From these 20 plants,three plants were selected and intercrossed in a diallel pattern toproduce second generation seed. In February of 1996, the secondgeneration seed was sown and yielded 50 plants. From these 50 plants,seven plants were selected for their appealing flower color anddecumbent growth habit. In February of 1997, the seven selected plantlines were vegetatively propagated and tested for ease ofreproducibility and stability of traits. The present variety wasselected from the seven for its vigorous growth, decumbent habit andburgundy red flower color.

In December of 1997, cuttings of ‘Colorburst Cherry’ were sent to acommercial nursery in Salinas, Calif. During the spring and summer of1998, plants were grown under the direction and supervision of theinventors for evaluation of stability of the line's desired traits.Plants were grown in hanging pots at the commercial nursery in Salinas,Calif., and in cultivated fields at the commercial nursery in Kakegawa,Japan. Vegetative propagation in Japan was done in Kakegawa, Japan. Theterminal 1.0 to 1.5 inches of an actively growing stem is excised. Thebasal half is stripped of leaves and dipped in a 1:19 dilution ofDip-N-Gro rooting solution (solution:water). The dipped potion of thestem is then inserted into moist peat-based soilless plant growingmedia. Soil trays with 1.0 inch diameter by 1.5 inch deep cells areused. The cuttings are kept in a warm greenhouse under a clear plastictent with occasional misting from and automatic system. After about fourweeks the cuttings have grown roots, bound together the soil as a rootball and can be transplanted to pots. Two generations of successivepropagation (December 1997 and December 1998) were performed between thefinal selection and collecting data for the application. Vegetativepropagation in Salinas, Calif. was performed in greenhouses at theSakata Seed America Plug & Propagation facility. It takes approximatelyfour weeks to produce a root cutting. ‘Colorburst Cherry’ was determinedby the inventors to have its characteristics, as herein described,firmly fixed.

‘Colorburst Cherry’ is a new variety of Calibrachoa plant having acompact and slightly mounding growth habit. The plant grows vigorouslyand makes an excellent hanging basket. Its flowers are funnel-shaped.The petals are united and each has a fissure and a slight indent. Theflowers are axillary and solitary. Fully-opened flowers have a diameterbetween 2.6-3.2 cm. The throat and limbs of the petals are burgundy red(R.H.S. 64A red-purple group). The tube is light yellow (R.H.S. 9A). Theplant is very resistant to rain, heat and drought. The plant grows andflowers best under low soil pH conditions (pH 5-6). Typically, flowerswill stay open all day and night.

The new variety is distinguished from other Calibrachoa plants by thecombination of its characteristics. It combines a unique flower color,and a slightly mounding, vigorous growth habit.

The closest commercial cultivar of which the inventors are aware is thepetunia-like plant named ‘Million Bells Cherry Pink’. The distinguishingcharacteristics which differentiate ‘Colorburst Cherry’ from ‘MillionBells Cherry Pink’ are:

‘Colorburst Cherry’ ‘Million Bells Cherry Pink’ Growth Habit SlightlyMounding Mounding Flower Color Burgundy red Bright purple red (R.H.S.64A) Flower Diameter 31-35 mm Smaller Growth Rate Very vigorous Lowvigor

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings serve by color photographic means toillustrate the new plant variety, ‘Colorburst Cherry’. The colors arerepresented as true as possible using conventional photographicprocedures.

FIG. 1 is a close-up view of multiple blooms illustrating the color ofthe flowers and the large profusion of blooms.

FIG. 2 is a view of the new cultivar after growing for several weeks ina hanging basket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following description is based on observations and measurements ofplants grown in pots in Salinas, Calif. The plants were grown indoors.The plants received fertilizer water (constant liqued feeding) with an18-8-8 feeding level. The plants had been growing for about 5 monthssince they had been transferred to their pot as rooted cuttings. Theaverage growing temperature is 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night, and 75degrees Fahrenheit in the day. Color designations were made according toThe Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart published by The RoyalHorticultural Society of London, England.

Origin: Seedling.

Plants used for original crosses:

Female.—Unpatented and unnamed commercial market plant from SouthAmerica, breeder code C-13D.

Male.—‘Liricashower Rose’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,884.

Classification:

Family.—Solanaceae.

Genus.—Calibrachoa.

Botanical.—Unknown member of the Calibrachoa genus.

Commercial.—‘Colorburst Cherry’.

Plant:

Growth habit.—Decumbent, slightly mounding in center.

Plant height.—18 cm.

Spreading area of plant.—28 cm. in all directions from the edge of thepot result from plants grown in a 41 cm. diameter hanging basket.

Type.—Perennial.

Disease resistance.—The plant is susceptible to Botrytis, powderymildew, various stem and root rots, and certain viruses, like TobaccoMosaic Virus and Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus. Plants can be infestedwith aphids, leafminer, whitefly and various Lepitopdera.

Blooming.—Mature plants growing in a 41 cm. Diameter hanging basket canhave in excess of 700 open flowers at any given time. The inflorescenceis solitary.

Stem:

Thickness.—Main stem 2.0-3.0 mm.

Color.—Yellowish green (R.H.S. 143C).

Pubescence.—Stem pubescence is moderate in density and short. Thepubescence is colorless and bulbous at the tip.

Branching.—Moderate.

Length of internode.—10-17 mm.

Leaf:

Form.—Alternate, elliptical with mucronate tips and entire margins.

Length (average).—22 mm.

Width (average).—8 mm.

Thickness.—0.5-0.8 mm.

Color.—The adaxial surface color of the leaves is R.H.S. 137C. Theabaxial surface color of the leaves is R.H.S. 138B.

Pubescence.—Pubescence is short, colorless and bulbous at the tip.

Flower:

Form.—Flowers are axiallary and solitary. Flowers are bisexual. Calyx,corolla and androecium are all 5-parted. Calyx is persistent. Corolla isfunnelform with 5 united petals. As flowers age the throat and limbs ofthe flower flare more abruptly. Petals have broad limbs, each petal isfissured with a slight indent.

Diameter of corolla.—26-32 mm when fully open.

Tube length.—15 mm.

Throat diameter.—8 mm.

Color of petals.—Young flowers: bright reddish purple (R.H.S. 63B).

Color of petals in full bloom.—When fully mature: the adaxial surfacecolor of the limbs and throat is R.H.S. 61B and the adaxial surfacecolor of the tube is R.H.S. 9A; the abaxial surface color of the limbsand throat is R.H.S. 63B and the abaxial surface color of the tube isR.H.S. 9C; the color of the flower petal vein is R.H.S. N187A.

Reproductive organs.—Androecium consisting of five stamens, 2 with longfilaments bending upward over the pistil and 3 with short filaments,anthers are yellow and filaments are white. The color of the stamen isR.H.S. 160A. One pistil. Ovary is superior. Stigma is oval with aseptation running through the middle on the long axis. The color of theovary, pistil, style and stigma is R.H.S. 140C.

Blooming habit.—Flower stay open all day and night.

Fragrance.—The flowers of this plant do not possess any fragrance.

Sepals.—There are five sepals on each flower; the adaxial surface colorof the sepal is R.H.S. 137C and the abaxial surface color of the sepalis 137C. Sepal pubescence is moderate in density, short, clear andbulbous at the tip. The sepals are fused at their base. Where they arenot fused they taper in a lanceolate manner to an acute pointed tip.

Seeds/fruit: No seeds or fruit are produced.

Blooming season.—Plants flower April through October in Salinas, Calif.

Bud:

Aestivation.—Buds are flat with all five petals linearly folded and thetwo lower petals forming a cover around the three other petals. All thepetals are fused together.

Chromosome number: 2n=18.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Calibrachoa plant asillustrated and described.